Jump to content

Flea Market in Texas

Drew
 Share

Recommended Posts

Drew Watch Enthusiast

Drew

Posted
Posted

Hello All, 

I recently found out about the "largest flea market" in the world located in Canton, Texas. It is called First Monday Canton, and its only open the first weekend of each month (Thurs-Monday). The flea market is going to be open this weekend (July 28th - Aug 1st). I wanted to go and check it out, and see if there was anything watch and watch tool related. Before I decide to drive 4 hours (from my house in Austin), I wanted to see if any members are aware of the flea market, and if so, is it worth traveling up there to look for watch related items? I know a lot of members are located outside the US, but if there are any US members that are aware of the flea market I would love to hear from you. Are you planning on going? Have you been there before? Are you setting up a booth?... etc etc... Please feel free to send me a message. I did call the venue to ask, and the lady I spoke to told me they have so many sellers they dont keep a list of who is selling what. 

I am just trying to get some info as to whether its worth my time to drive the 4 hours up there to check it out. 

thanks, 

-Drew

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Drew Watch Enthusiast

Drew

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks, WW 😃 

I was planning on taking my family with me. I told my wife she should go and see if there were any little gems she could find. That seemed to work. LOL! 

I might just bite the bullet and head up there, just to say I went. Worse case, we waste a lot of gas (still not too keen on that though..), and have a cool story to tell later. 

If I go and we find anything cool I will take some pics and post them to the forum. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted

Hey Drew!  I am just a few miles S of you.

Canton has been on my list for a long time but now is not the time to go (Scott Fischer sez so).  I went to Roundtop, I dont know, maybe five years ago.  I was not into watches at the time but I remember a whole table of them...wish I could go back in time.

The Wimberley flea market is the first Sat of every month.  I went a few months ago and did not find anything horological in nature, but stuff changes a little from month to month.

I missed your intro, otherwise, I would have introduced myself by now.  You in N Austin or S Austin?  Do you work in the tech industry there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Drew Watch Enthusiast

Drew

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey LWS, 

I am in N Austin, and yes I work in the tech industry. LOL! 

I tried to check out the flea markets here in town (Cedar Park, Austin Country and the one in Kyle). None of them had anything horological. I was told that they used to before covid, but none of them came back afterwards. 

I have never been to the Wimberley market. I will look into that, and see when the next one is. 

When would be a good time to go, and how do you know the time is right? 😃 I am still so new to this, so I am trying to soak up as much info as I can. 

Do you know if there are any horological "shows" that happen in the area? I was thinking it might still be pretty niche here, and might have to look around Houston and Dallas. 

Thanks for introducing yourself, and the tips. Looking forward to touching base more. 

-Drew

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Drew said:

Hey LWS, 

I am in N Austin, and yes I work in the tech industry. LOL! 

I tried to check out the flea markets here in town (Cedar Park, Austin Country and the one in Kyle). None of them had anything horological. I was told that they used to before covid, but none of them came back afterwards. 

I have never been to the Wimberley market. I will look into that, and see when the next one is. 

When would be a good time to go, and how do you know the time is right? 😃 I am still so new to this, so I am trying to soak up as much info as I can. 

Do you know if there are any horological "shows" that happen in the area? I was thinking it might still be pretty niche here, and might have to look around Houston and Dallas. 

Thanks for introducing yourself, and the tips. Looking forward to touching base more. 

-Drew

Wimberley "Market Days" at the Lions Field is the first Saturday of every month from like April to maybe October. 

The NAWCC meets at Pokey Joes every month on a Sat.  I have not gone because it is such a long drive from here.

I retired from the Tech industry (semiconductors) in Austin back in 2008 but still do some consulting.

Frankly, there is a lot of noise in this whole search process.  I found a watch bench full of stuff in New Braunfels, found a staking set at an antique store for $50.  Picked up a Seth Thomas E701 Westminster electric for $6 at a resale shop in Kyle!

Are you interested in just watches, watches and clocks, watches/clocks/tools?

Picked a 400-day and a pocket watch in Lockhart (paid more than I should have perhaps)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Drew Watch Enthusiast

Drew

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Are you a member of the NAWCC? I would be interested in that, if i can make a meeting. I am guessing the Poke Joes is the one in Austin (Parmer)? I just looked them up and they have a pretty cool deal for first time members. I might even get my son to join. He has been going with me to the flea markets. The Wimberley flea market seems like a nice one if they have anything horological. 

I am mainly interested in mechanical watches (pocket too), and watch tools. I have not really got into clocks, yet. I am also looking for just really cheap stuff to practice on. I would like to get my confidence up before I dive into anything expensive. I dont want to mess something up and not be able to fix it. 

I would be very interested in places to go look. Little out of the way places that might hide some hidden gems. I take it there are a lot of cool places to look at outside of the Austin area? I dont usually get south much. I am from Houston so I am familiar with the 290 route, and see several antique stores along that route. Ive got the bug now to try and find some stuff. Brings back great memories of my dad and I going to all the flea markets around Houston. 

Edited by Drew
Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Drew said:

Are you a member of the NAWCC? I would be interested in that, if i can make a meeting. I am guessing the Poke Joes is the one in Austin (Parmer)?

Yes, I think the next meeting will be Aug 20.  I get an email announcement the week before.

I will send you a PM with my contact info.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Marc
      Seiko 6309a diver crown replacement

      By Marc · Posted

      Interesting interpretation of "traditional". I would say that Loctite is definitely the up-to-date and appropriate stuff to use, however, it is a relatively modern solution. Before the advent of such esoteric solutions I believe that the "traditional" thread locker of choice may well have been a sugar solution. Once applied the water would evaporate and the sugar would crystalise, locking the threads tight.
    • Marc
      Pocket watch winding stem sleeve

      By Marc · Posted

      @steve1811uk close but no cigar 🙂 I don't smoke anyway. I checked in my stock of parts and that's the closest I got to your dimensions. Good luck in your search. @RichardHarris123 I have an accumulation of all sorts of odds and ends that I acquired as a result of buying up the tail ends of old watchmakers estates. Usually after all of the great stuff has been stripped out, which means that the sweepings off of the workshop floor can be had for peanuts, but if you have the patience, can often be found to contain gold (both literally and figuratively 🙂 ). These came to me through on of those purchases. I doubt that I will personally be able to make use of even 10% of my accumulated stock, but having it, and knowing what I have, means that I can at least pass bits on to those who can use it whenever possible.
    • Curare
      Spell Check

      By Curare · Posted

      Hi and thank-you for your suggestions, as per Mark's instructions I checked my browser "Safari" and spell check and grammar was not ticked. So all sorted. Thanks CJ  
    • RichardHarris123
      Seiko 6309a diver crown replacement

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      As an alternative, clear nail Polish, the advantage is you can have a manicure at the same time. 
    • VWatchie
      Spell Check

      By VWatchie · Posted

      I use Grammarly. It works really well and If English is not your first language, you will also receive help with formulations. There is a free version that covers most of my needs. It installs as a plug-in and works with all browsers and word processors.
×
×
  • Create New...